24 Chapter Twenty-Three

I was moving, it was cold and my entire body hurt. That's all I could currently feel.

Someone was carrying me like a baby. My right arm dangled down and my head was rested upon their arm, which I must say was rather big.

I opened my eyes with a groan. I had no idea who the person was who was carrying me.

"Easy there.'' A deep, powerful voice told me.

"Who are you?" I groaned with the pain ricochet through my body.

"It does not matter whom I am, only that your alive because of me.''

"I would like to know who has saved my life." I stated.

"You have a point there, my name is Ashton Daikin.''

"Can you put me down?" I asked.

"No, not until you tell me who you are.''

"My name is Ingrid Lastensture and if you could please put me down, it would be much appreciated.''

He put my legs down but still kept his arm underneath my shoulders.

I'd felt pain before, but this was agony. As soon as my feet hit the ground my knees buckled.

"Woah, easy there.'' He told me.

I tried to push his arm from under my shoulders, but he kept a firm grip.

"How'd you even find me?" I asked.

"I saw you falling.''

"Oh.''

I tried to walk, it was painful and slow, but I managed.

"Do you need help there?" He asked me.

"No.'' I snapped.

Ashton removed his arm from beneath me. I was wobbly at first but then I steadied myself.

"Ingrid!" I heard a familiar voice call out.

Before I knew it Ashleigh was hugging me fiercely.

"Ow.'' Was all I managed to say as she was squeezing me.

"Where have you been?" She looked behind me, "And who is this?" She walked past me.

"Ashton," he held is hand out to her.

She took it, I'm Ashleigh.'' She giggled like a small girl.

I cold wind blew over. A snow storm was forming.

"Where's Loki?" Ashleigh asked me.

"I thought you knew.'' I told her.

"But you got released with him.''

"No, she fell from a window.'' Aston butted in.

Ashleigh stared at me, "What?!"

I shrugged my shoulders, "It's true.''

She shook her head, "That can't be possible, you got released with Loki, I saw it with my own eyes. They released me shortly afterwards.''

"That was my clone.'' I told her.

She rolled her eyes, "Haha very funny.''

"I'm being serious.'' Then I told her all about the weird tests the second me, everything.

"Yeah, do you have any idea where Loki could be?" I asked.

She shook her head, Ashton who had been quiet throughout the convosation with Ashleigh butted in.

"Who's this Loki you speak of?''

Ashleigh spun to face him, "Ingrid's lover.''

"What?" Ashton and I both said together.

"You can't deny it.'' She pointed out.

I stared at the ground refusing to reply.

"Is it just me or is it getting cooler?'' Ashleigh asked, filling in the silence.

I turned to face the breeze, it was as if every gust became a degree cooler.

"No, it is getting cooler.'' I faced her.

"Um, seeing as we're talking about weather and stuff, it appears as if up ahead a snowstorm is coming.'' Ashton pointed to my right.

The breeze was stronger facing that way, and little flakes of snow were flying towards us. Whipping my face and making it go numb.

"I think we should head inside.'' I said.

"Agreed.'' Ashleigh and Ashton said in unison.

We turned opposite to the on-coming snow, but not even before I took a step a male scream hit our ears from inside the storm.

Ashleigh made eye contact with me.

"Loki.'' I said breathlessly.